Percents

Using ratios and proportions, we reviewed how to determine the answer to various forms of the percent-based problems typically found in everyday math. We focussed on tipping and figuring discounts for sales.

Tonight's Homework: The odd problems on Worksheet 11.2.

Ratios and Proportions

We reviewed vocabulary related to ratios and proportions, including means and extremes (used in cross products), reciprocals, and extraneous values. We solved several proportion problems, starting with simple examples and moving to some that are much more complex. The last example could be solved in at least two different ways. The later examples used factoring techniques that were learned in lessons from chapter 10.

Tonight's Homework: Complete all of the even problems on Worksheet 11.1 C.

Plan ahead! Tuesday, June 4th, is Tie-Dye Tuesday!

Chapter 10 Test Taken Today

Students took the chapter 10 test today.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the worksheet you received in class today.

Adrienne, if you are still checking the blog, you can do all of the problems on page 642 instead of the worksheet.

Reviewing for Chapter 10 Test

Students turned in their math textbooks today. Those students who forgot to bring their books to class today will need to bring their books to school tomorrow and turn them in on their own time.

Students reviewed for the chapter 10 test today by playing a review game.

Tonight's Homework: Study for the chapter 10 test by reviewing your notes. For all who have missing work from chapter 10, the last day for turning the work in is this Friday, May 30.

When Are We Ever Going To Use This Math?

Students spent most of the period working on real-life problems that apply factoring polynomials. An in-class problem was solved individually.

Tonight's Homework: Pages 634 - 636 ( 1 - 31, odd). Be sure to bring your book to class on Tuesday.

Adrienne, here is the problem that was assigned in class: The width of a box is 2 inches less than its length. The height is 8 inches greater than the length. The box has a volume of 96 cubic inches. What are the dimensions of the box?

Factoring Using the Distributive Property

Students reviewed what GCF means, and then practiced finding the GCF of several terms. Next, students found the GCF of binomials, and then moved to trinomials. Once students were comfortable with finding the GCFs of different expressions, they were introduced to grouping terms in longer polynomials (containing 4 terms). The focus of today's lesson is to put all of the previous lessons together, so students are looking for special product patterns, checking work by FOILing, and using the distributive property.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.7 ( 15 - 43, FCO). It was announced that students will be turning in textbooks on Tuesday, and taking a test over chapter 10 on Wednesday. Be prepared.

Factoring Special Cases

Today, we learned about recognizing special cases that follow particular factoring rules. First, we looked at the Difference of Two Squares pattern, which can be applied to certain binomials. Next, we looked at the Perfect Square Trinomial Pattern. Lastly, we revisited the ideas of stating trinomials in standard order and factoring out common factors (either before you begin factoring or at the end).

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.7 ( 18 - 54, FCO ) Be sire tp show your work.

P.S. If you missed class today, please read the lesson, and plan to meet with Mr. Macke at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday. Knock on the window and one of us will let you into the building.

Visualizing Factoring

Mr. Macke taught another lesson using the algebra blocks to help students visualize how to factor quadratic equations. Tonight's homework should include colored pictures, drawn on grid paper of the ten problems listed on the handout.

Tonight's Homework: Factor the problems listed on the handout.

Adrienne: Here are the problems you need to do:

1.) 2x squared + 7x + 6
2.) 3x squared + 10x + 8
3.) 4x squared + 4x + 1
4.) 4x squared + 5x + 1
5.) 3x squared + 16x + 5
6.) x squared + x - 6
7.) x squared - 2x -15
8.) x squared - x -2
9.) 2x squared - 3x -2
10.) x squared - 5x + 6

Factoring Quadratic Formulas with Leading Coeffiecients Other Than 1

Mr. Macke continued teaching us how to factor quadratic formulas that are a bit more complicated than the ones we tackled last week. He showed a systematic process for setting up factors that give us the first and last terms of the equation, and then allow us to check our middle terms to find the correct set of factors. This process (also outlined in the book) needs to be followed as you attempt to complete tonight's homework.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.6 ( 18 - 51, FCO ). Show the entire process for problems 18 - 30, and then show work until you find the correct answer for the last problems.

Using Algebra Tiles to Model Factoring Quadratic Equations

Mr. Macke used the algebra blocks to help students visualize how to factor trinomials. At first, he used trinomials that included only addition, and moved to more complex examples that included a subtraction term.

Tonight's Homework: Graph, in color, the three problems that were written on the whiteboard.

Factoring Simpler Quadratic Equations

Mr. Macke began teaching this class today, and will be doing so for the next 2.5 weeks or so. Today's lesson reviewed the notion of using factoring as a way to simplify quadratic equations. You can think of this lesson as an exercise in "reverse FOIL-ing".

Be sure to read lesson 10.5, especially if you missed part or all of the class.

Tonight's Homework: Page 607 ( 15 - 29 )

District Track Meet Cancels Algebra Today

Students who came to class reviewed the solutions to the last two problem solving activities and then played a game related to transformations. Because half of the class was gone today, there is no new work to complete. Enjoy the afternoon!

Tonight's Homework: Nothing new--come to class prepared with homework that was assigned yesterday.

Happy Birthday, C Squared!

Students took a quiz over the first part of chapter 10, and then used the rest of the time in class to complete a donut problem and get started on tonight's homework.

Because of the district track meet, tonight's homework will not be collected until Thursday, May 15th.

Tonight's Homework: Page 602 (all problems in the Mixed Review)

Using the Zero Property to Find Values for X

Lesson 10.4 is one of those lessons that students find to be easy, and serves as the basis for determining x intercepts after factoring quadratic equations has been completed. We reviewed how to determine what x is in increasingly more difficult problems, and then reviewed that if a times b is zero, then either a = 0, b = 0, or both a and b = 0.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.4 ( 15 - 43, FCO and 44 - 46 ). Remember, you will be having a quiz over Lessons 10.1 through 10.3 on Tuesday. Don't forget to study for it!

Reviewing the First Part of Chapter 10

Students solved an algebra-based problem in class today. Those who finished early began their homework, designed to prepare them for a quiz on Tuesday.

Tonight's Homework: Page 582 ( 70 ), page 595 ( 56 - 58 ), and page 596 ( 1 - 17 ). More importantly, be nice to your mom this weekend!

Using Special Properties when Multiplying Binomials

Now that students feel comfortable multiplying binomials using the FOIL method, we looked at special cases of binomials that can be expanded quickly using special rules. Specifically, we looked at the sum and difference of binomials, and the cases where you square (a + b) or (a = b).

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.3 ( 15 - 47 FCO and 48, 49 )

FOIL in Algebra???

Yep, that's right--we learned how to use FOIL in algebra today. When multiplying a binomial by a binomial, one must keep track of what is being done. To help with this process, using the FOIL method (first, outer, inner last) seems to be an effective tool to learn.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.2 ( 9 - 50 FCO )

Polynomial Vocabulary

As we start chapter 10, there are many vocabulary words to master. We reviewed terms related to degree, classification by number of terms, and polynomials in general. Students learned about the standard form for polynomials, leading coefficients, and how to add and subtract polynomials.

Chapter 9 tests were returned to students. Retakes may be taken through May 14th.

Tonight's Homework: Lesson 10.1 ( 7 - 55, first column only )

Chapter 9 Test Taken Today

Students used the entire period to complete the 18 question test over chapter 9. Because this is a test day, students got off easy on the homework end!

Tonight's Homework: None. Enjoy what looks to be a gorgeous weekend!

Chapter 9 Test on Friday

Students spent most of the class period reviewing for the chapter 9 test, which will be given on Friday.

Tonight's Homework: None. If you wish to earn some extra credit and review for the test at the same time, complete the chapter review problems.